Boost for trans-harbour link, Metro lines in MMRDA budget

MUMBAI: The MMRDA will present its budget for approval at a meeting on Thursday and sources indicate that the budget will prioritize crucial projects like Mumbai Metro and Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).

Last year, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had approved the MMRDA budget of Rs 3,832.30 crore. This year, the costs may escalate and the budget for the next fiscal year (2016-17) may go beyond Rs 4,000 crore, sources said. Some of the major projects which may come into focus are the Dahisar East-Andheri East and Dahisar-DN Nagar metro rails. The completion costs of both these projects is estimated to be close to Rs 12,000 crore. Another significant project for the city is the Mumbai Monorail which is scheduled for completion by year end.

The bills for Mumbai Monorail between Chembur-Wadala-Jacob Circle would be settled during the upcoming financial year, and there has been increase in project cost of the monorail project. The MMRDA has spent a sum of Rs2,554.81 crore on the monorail project as against the projected cost of Rs 2,460 crore, a source said. Some of the projects in the Mumbai metropolitan region that are likely to be taken up during the budget include constructing two bridges on Ulhas River to connect Kalyan. One bridge will be near Durgadi Fort and the other for the Mankoli-Motagaon Road.

The MTHL’s construction is also expected to start later this year. The big-ticket project’s cost is Rs17,500 crore, it is slated for completion in 2019. The MMRDA will have to spend at least Rs 335 crore towards ‘environment management programme’ to construct the link between Sewri and Nhava near Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. This expenditure is mandatory for the MMRDA to spent as the Coastal Regulatory Zone clearance has been accorded to it on the basis of these conditions.

The total cost of MTHL project is estimated to be around Rs17,700 crore. Planners will also have to spend on compensation for fisherfolk and mangrove protection.